Lagonda
From the label:
A luxurious blend comprising generous portions of Cyprus latakia, ripe red virginias and fine oriental leaf with a bit of bright added for a hint of gentle sweetness. Pressing and aging in cakes integrates the flavours and partially ferments the tobaccos. The cakes are then sliced and tumbled into ribbons, ready for your enjoyment.
Lagonda is the latest entry in the Old London Series, and though it shares production methods with its siblings, Chelsea Morning and Meridian, it's nevertheless all new.
Lagonda carries a higher proportion of Cyprus Latakia than the previous blends in the series, and a more pronounced oriental component. It's spicy, but not aggressively so, and dry, in the sense of not being sweet. It's a savory misture with mouth-filling flavours, and a wonderful aroma, both in the tin and in the air when it's smoked. The virginias give the mixture legs to stand on, but aren't the dominant note. Despite it's big flavours, the blend maintains finesse and balance, which was a bit of a challenge with something so full-bodied. It has a lot to offer, but doesn't overpower. It'll age beautifully, but is smoking fantastically right out of the gate.
If I sound like a proud papa, it's because I am. Like any child, this one took some interesting turns during the early stages of its development, sometimes making me think it had a mind of its own, and it would never grow up to amount to anything. But, it did, and the result is even more than I was hoping for when I first started on it. If you've enjoyed the other blends in the series, you'll love this one. If you've been a fan of mixtures like Westminster, Abingndon, or Charing Cross, you'll also find something really enjoyable here. If you're used to somewhat sweeter mixtures, like Maltese Falcon, you should still give Lagonda a go. It's lovely stuff.
Lagonda
Lagonda was introduced in July, 2011
Meridian
From the label:
Meridian - balanced, poised & sophisticated. Cyprus Latakia is layered with fine virginia tobaccos and small leaf orientals, then pressed, sliced and tumbled into ribbons. More savory than sweet, with classic structure, medium body, and captivating complexity, Meridian is the perfect companion for a mid-day stroll or with the afternoon tea.
Meridian is the third entry in the Old London Series. A classically styled blend that's wonderful when young, but with a good backbone for longer aging. It's a medium-full mixture, with flavours that evoke memories of some of the great Latakia blends from days gone by. Red and orange virginias are joined by a generous, but not overwhelming measure of Cyprian leaf, for a wonderfully earthy foundation. The spicy/sweet oriental tobaccos add fullness, and an exquisite aroma. Not as "big" or as full as Westminster, but similar in style. An excellent blend for a relaxing afternoon smoke, or as a delightful amuse bouche before dinner.
Meridian was introduced in October, 2010
Quiet Nights
Quiet Nights - rich, deep, contemplative. Ripe red virginias, fine orientals, smoky Cyprus latakia, and a pinch of Acadian perique are pressed and matured in cakes before being sliced. The sophisticated flavors and exotic aroma provide a wonderful backdrop for quiet moments of reflection, a good book, and if you are so inclined, perhaps a wee dram.
This is the second entry in the Old London Series. This one is fuller and somewhat more Latakia-forward than Chelsea Morning, with a higher percentage orientals, and less perique. It's rich, complex, leathery and smoky, with a naturally sweet structure from the darker virginias, and a balanced oriental spice. It compares in strength and fullness with blends like Samarra and Blackpoint, but the pressing makes it deeper, darker, and brings new dimensions to the flavours and aromas. It's really wonderful. An ideal addition to the series, perfectly complimenting a relaxing evening.
Quiet Nights was introduced in May, 2010
Chelsea Morning
Chelsea Morning is made from a variety of sweet red and bright virginias, fragrant orientals, a small measure of rich Cyprus Latakia, and a pinch of L.A. Poche’s brilliant Acadian perique. It is an easy to pack, easy to smoke tobacco, and a great blend to start the day with your morning cup. The flavours are lively and engaging, with a subtle fruitiness and gentle smokiness that wakes up the palate. For those expecting a Latakia powerhouse, this ain’t that. The Cyprus leaf provides depth and character; it’s certainly present, but it’s not the dominant voice. In that respect, Chelsea Morning is similar to Piccadilly, the ‘English Breakfast Mixture’ from the Classic Collection, but, it’s also very different; the orientals add additional dimensions to the smoke. It's really a delightful blend.
Of course, it would be silly to say that it’s only enjoyable in the mornings, but to my tastes, that’s when it shines its brightest. I’m very excited about this new blend, and the entire series, which I'll be finishing up over the coming months, and releasing as they're ready to go.
And, just because I know someone will ask, no, it is not a ‘clone’ of that other famous tobacco with ‘Morning’ in its name. But, if you liked that one, you should certainly give Chelsea Morning a try. It's already getting some great reviews!
Chelsea Morning was introduced in October, 2009
The Collection
The tobaccos in the Old London Series are made using old, time honoured methods utilized by some of the old blending houses. Whole strips - leaves with the mid-ribs removed - are blended in layers and pressed into cakes, and briefly matured to allow some fermentation, and for the flavours of the tobaccos to integrate. The cakes are then sliced traditionally, and either left in flakes, or tumbled into a form that is something between a ribbon and a broken flake. The blends in the series rely solely on the natural flavours and aromas of pure tobaccos, without any added casings, sauces or top dressing. They're a little more work to produce, but the results are well worth the extra steps.
My Thoughts
These blends offer something unique in today's world of cost-cutting, production shortcuts and chemcial "enhancements." My intention was to turn back the clock and use traditional methods to produce some blends reminiscent of some that haven't been around for decades, but modern in their formulations. The collection will never be a large one - so far, only five blends are planned - but each will be unique, and will provide the smoker with a delightful journey, with one foot in the past, and one in the present.
The Future
I'd been smoking the first in the series, Chelsea Morning, for several months at the time of its release, and am thrilled with the way it's developing in the tins. These blends are designed to be enjoyed now, with their youthful exuberance in full bloom, but will continue to develop and mature into something richer, more complex and delightful well into their second decade.
Quiet Nights, too, shows amazing potential for long aging. The first prototypes are a bit over a year old now, and have darkened and matured beautifully. It's fantastic fresh out of the press, but the years will bring more sophistication to the smoke. Enjoy it now, and put pleanty away to sample over the years to come.
Meridian is so classic in its style and structure, I can't imagine it not aging really well. At the time of its release, the oldest prototype is only four months old, but it's already showing an increase in complexity and depth, and I'm looking forward to seeing what it'll be like with a year behind it.